Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and exciting activity to enjoy, but it can be risky. If a negligent act leads to an accident and their families may be entitled to compensation for the injuries and losses.

A NYC maple heights boat accident law firm accident attorney can assist injured victims to receive the full amount they deserve. The claim may cover past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people imagine bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans in the United States. forest hills boat accident lawyer accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are weighed in determining if negligence took place. For instance, if a boat operator was drunk, it could be a cause for civil lawsuits based on negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths at sea. There are maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation options to other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boating accident that killed them, the family may sue for damages, including loss of companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can also recover money to pay medical bills in the past and future treatment costs.

If a boating accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones and loved ones, a New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining the kind of damages you are entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer will review your insurance coverage and the responsible party's boat liability policy to determine what type of damages you could be entitled to receive in a settlement or a verdict. An experienced lawyer can also assess if there are other parties that could be accountable, such as the manufacturer or a component of the Patchogue Boat Accident Lawyer that was defective.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and anticipated) as well as lost income due to time missed from work or pain and suffering emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. Serious injuries include back and neck injuries, brain traumas, broken bones, and internal organ damage.

In boating accidents, there are a variety of people who could bear legal liability for a collision, such as the boat's operator, passengers aboard at the time of the incident or other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats as well as their engines or parts as well as the government agencies that are responsible for putting up buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the ins and outs of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who can be held accountable in the event of a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on an vessel that is injured at sea has the same rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Also, sailors who are injured on international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to submit a claim under Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Injured maritime workers and families of sailors who have died have claims under state worker' compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected during the initial stages of the legal process could help you determine the strength of your case. For instance, taking photographs of the scene of the accident can be helpful for determining the extent of liability and how the boating collision happened. It is also important to obtain information from eyewitnesses, as they can provide valuable testimony which can back up your assertions.

Medical records are crucial for understanding the severity of your injuries and the damages that resulted. The records should include thorough reports of hospital and doctor visitations, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments as well as the expenses associated with them. Additionally, you should keep track of any changes in your income or employment and any other losses that are not financial in nature.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boating accidents. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma, when the head is struck by the propeller of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of maritime injuries include mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine problems in the steering system, as well as gear shift problems. In these instances our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate to determine if a manufacturer can be held responsible for injuries suffered by victims of accidents.

How to File a Claim

While it is important to seek medical attention for injuries as soon as you can after a boating accident, you should not offer an account to an insurance adjuster or another party without first consulting a lawyer. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

In order to claim compensation following a boating collision you must submit an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This usually includes providing evidence to justify a claim of economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses that are incurred due to the accident, as well as the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and any other intangible loss that can be difficult to quantify.

In some instances a boat manufacturer or a component of the boat can be held responsible for a mishap if their product was designed or manufactured in a way that was defective. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine whether a product responsibility is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases it's not only the boat's operator who is liable for the event of a crash. The owner of the vessel can be held liable too, particularly when they are accountable for hiring or training the person operating their boat or allow someone who is unfit to operate an unfit boat to use their property.